Seniority

By my reckoning, with six years as a councillor under my belt, I now find myself senior to nineteen of the borough’s councillors (in terms of tenure).

There has been four sets of local elections in those six years, as well as a couple of by-elections.

I am not sure whether this level of turnover is a good thing or not or, indeed, whether it is unusual even. With fifty-one councillors in total (and factoring the other newbies elected in 2012 when I was successful) it is close to half who can count six years or less as members.

I shall be delighted to see a third term, and am in no doubt that I will never be the ‘father’ of the chamber. For starters, there are still quite a few with far more experience than me who will be around for a years yet. Also factor in the fickle nature of politics, which could mean that this second term that I am serving could be my last.

I am fifth in seniority in the Labour Group – halfway in a group of eleven.

My civic roles 2018 – 2019

I am now the shadow portfolio holder for children and learning.

Committees that I will be sitting on –

People Scrutiny Committee

Biodiversity and Environmental Awareness Working Party

Children’s Service Improvement Board

Conservation Working Party

Corporate Parenting Group

Corporate Parenting Member’s Sub Group

LSCB / SAB Scrutiny Panel

School Places Working Party

Standing Advisory Committee on Religious Education

We need action on crime

Do not build Forum 2 on one of the few open spaces in Milton says Milton Labour

Proposed site for Forum 2

The two Labour councillors in Milton ward are supportive of the presence of both the University and College in the centre of town.

They also cautiously welcome any extension of their facilities, although they note that only two of the three partners in the Forum are backing plans for Forum 2.

The plans for Forum 2 do give rise to concerns, especially as one of the few areas of green open space in the centre of town is threatened.

Councillors Nevin and Ware-Lane do not want Forum 2 to be built on the green space that lies between the Forum and the Farringdon Service Road.

Councillor Ware-Lane said: “There are quite a number of empty buildings in and around the High Street and I am requesting that these be explored as potential homes for Forum 2”.

Councillor Nevin added: “There are too few green spaces in Milton ward as it is. I want all the current green spaces to be preserved.”

There are also concerns that the popular big screen showings will have to end if this area is built upon.

Milton Voice Winter 2018 edition

Labour welcome park and ride, but has concerns over cost and location

Press Release

Labour welcome park and ride, but has concerns over cost and location

The Labour Group on Southend-on-Sea Borough Council has for many years called for a park and ride scheme in the town. This has often featured in their local election manifestos.

Cllr Julian Ware-Lane

The news that the ruling administration has finally woken up to the idea has been welcomed by Cllr Julian Ware-Lane, Labour's spokesperson for traffic and parking. However, Cllr Ware-Lane believes the scheme as proposed by the Conservative administration has some shortcomings.

The scheme has the park and ride scheme at the Civic Centre car park, with the bus ride taking one to the Kursaal. It is £3 to park the car, and £4 for the ride.

"The scheme is too expensive", said Cllr Ware-Lane. "£7 does not seem to be much of an incentive to abandon the car, especially when the actual distance covered by the park and ride is only about a mile or so. "

"I also think the choice of location is poor", added Julian. "The town experiences huge traffic jams along the two main arterial routes. The scheme should be implemented far closer to the borough boundaries."

"I realise that there are issues in finding a suitable location, but cannot believe that the site chosen is the best available."

The evidence suggests that so far the scheme has done little to affect, let alone lessen, the tailbacks of those heading towards the seaside.

Southend BID & HARP Launch

I bumped into this young lady there!

Southend Business Improvement District  have recently been working closely with the Homeless Action Resource Project, Southend’s Homeless Charity, to explore ways in which to operate together in order to deploy long term solutions for rough sleeping and street drinking, as well as encourage engagement with HARP’s services.

I was invited  to the official launch, in partnership with HARP, at Victoria Circus today.

Mac Felton at the launch

This was part of our ongoing educational campaign to educate the public on how they can best help people to overcome homelessness in Southend.